Viking battles at the Olavsfestivalen, Sarpsborg, Norway, July 2017

2017-10-08

The Norwegian Vikings are still going strong. Full action at the festival Olavsfestivalen today 15th July 2017 in Landeparken by Tunevannet in Sarpsborg, Norway.

Photo. Hardcore reenactors. A scene from a Viking battle in Sarpsborg, Norway, 15th July 2017. More than the raiders of tradition, the Vikings were also traders and colonists who left enduring marks around the world.

History comes alive again: watch video clips and more photo of Viking battles, village life and more on Travel Explorations` Facebook page.

Travelled back in time and experienced a real Viking village, market with entertainment and activities: viking battles, jugglers, craftsmen, music, food, sculptures and amazing stories from the real Viking age. I also observed a Viking ship sailed on Tunevannet in Sarpsborg in Norway, 15th July 2017.

The Vikings were raiders and traiders. First and foremost they were the Masters of the sea. They left their marks around the world. The era known as the Viking age lasted for more than 300 years, from the late 8th century to the late 11th century.

Viking children had to learn many things at an early age. Boys were taught to fight using spears, swords and axes.

Stein Morten Lund, 15th July 2017

Additional information
360° Viking Battle on National Geographic:
Annually, the island Wolin is home to Europe's biggest Germanic-Slavic Viking festival. 2000 people go to Wolin, Poland, in the summer each year to live the Viking life. Charge into the fray of an epic Viking battle with over 600 hardcore reenactors armed with swords and axes. More than a mere blood sport, the climax of the Wolin Viking Festival is a mecca for “experimental archeology”. Watch the dramatic video clips from National Geographic.

Archaeological finds on the island are not very rich but they dot an area of 20 hectares, making it the second largest Baltic marketplace of the Viking Age after Hedeby. Some scholars have speculated that Wolin may have been the basis for the semi-legendary settlements Jomsborg and Vineta. However, others have rejected the identification, or even the historical existence of Jomsborg and Vineta (for example, Gerard Labuda).